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Two from Three - remaining fixtures
at 21:40 16 Mar 2024

Colchester 36 33

Mansfield A
Newport H
Tranmere A
Wrexham H
Stockport H
Crawley A
Grimsby H
Notts Co A
Doncaster H*
Crewe H

FGR 38 33

Doncaster A
Stockport H
Crewe A
MK Dons H
Mansfield A
Wrexham A
Morecambe A
Notts Co H

Sutton 39 30

Accrington H
Salford A
Swindon H
Stockport H
Harrogate A
Crawley H
MK Dons A

It does look like Sutton plus either FGR or Col U.

Victories are needed.

First let's spoil the Stag Party next Saturday.

Up the U's
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Saddle up for three vital points
at 11:35 16 Mar 2024

Last weekend’s defeat hurt the U’s perhaps more than any other because FGR have started to see an upturn in form with Sombrero man at the helm.

Consequently, the gap has closed dramatically at the foot of the table.
Salford 38 41
Grimsby 36 38
FGR 37 33
COL U 35 32
Sutton 38 27

Remaining Fixtures:

Walsall H Sat Mar 16
Mansfield A Sat Mar 23*
Newport H Fri Mar 29
Tranmere A Mon Apr 1*
Wrexham H Sat Apr 6
Stockport H Tues Apr 9
Crawley A Sat Apr 13
Grimsby H Tues Apr 16
Notts Co A Sat Apr 20*
Crewe H Sat Apr 27*

TBA Doncaster H Probably Tues Apr 23

After a fourth postponement due to waterlogging of the pitch this season the Club received permission to shorten and narrow the pitch from 105m to 102m and from 68m to 64m. This apparently will tackle the worst of the pitch quality at the East side of the ground.

Interestingly the Layer Road surface was 100m x 67m (the same size as Arsenal’s old Highbury stadium).

We welcome the Saddlers today led by Mat Sadler and counting amongst their number Brandon Comley one of our former midfielders. I went to the Bescot in September when a drab game was settled by a moment of brilliance from Isaac Hutchinson in the 65th minute. The Saddlers rolled over last week at FGR and I am sure they will not want to repeat such a poor performance today.

However, there is still some mileage in last week’s disappointing performance. Barrow is the longest journey this season at 325 miles, but next season (hopefully) we will be back at Brunton Park Carlisle which is mere 316 miles each way.

I travelled with my eldest son and upon arrival the major change this season is the temporary covered seating to the side of the pitch, which was both heavily sanded and bobbly. We had to try a number of seats before choosing the one with the least obstructive views of the playing surface. Noah did the same and sat just behind us. It was also good to see Kevin who was over for the game.

The team was:
Goodman
Egbo Dallison Hall
Richardson Read Smith Anderson
Chilvers McGeehan
Hopper

Subs:
Egbo off Harbottle on 38mins
Richardson off Ihionvien on 59mins
Anderson off Fevrier on 59mins
Smith off Jay on 73 mins
Hopper off Akinde on 74 mins

Once again we had the lion’s share of the possession and chances but fell to a sucker punch with goals on 45+4 mins and 90+5mins. The first was a free kick that never was (in fairness Spence took it well) and the second we were chasing the game and had both centre backs forward when Foley scored into an empty net.

Now I have been critical of Chilvers this season and on Saturday he showed all the old failings. Weak in the tackle and failing to track back and although he had a Hollywood shot it was always going wide and over the goal. Time to be benched.

By contrast we need Ihionvien to start and for Tovide to return (probably from the bench). Fevrier has been sorely missed and

At the end of the game the 163 loyal supporters were disgruntled but I fail to see how a minority screaming obscenities at the players and berating them is actually helping to spur them on to greater glory. Good to see the supporters there but let’s get behind the team because we are fighting for our very survival.

The injury situation is helped by Samson Tovide’s likely return (not a full game though) but Egbo was injured last week and Anderson didn’t look fit. Not sue whether Wilkinson, Kells and Mingi are all fit yet.

So, I would go with:

Goodman

Richardson Hall Harbottle Iandolo

Fevrier Read Smith McGeehan

Ihionvien Hopper

Subs:
Hornby Chilvers Tovide Jay Akinde Dallison Edwards

Two strikers please.

Weather is likely to be sunny and 9 degrees Celsius but DRY.

Enjoy the game, we have 11 games to save our football league status.
I am heartily fed up with reading “struggling” Colchester or “relegation threatened” Colchester. Let us instead read Cowley inspired Colchester secure vital win.

Score prediction Colchester 2 Walsall 0.

Ihionvien and Tovide (from the bench) with the goals.

Up the U’s


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Wild to live up to his name as U's clip Bluebirds wings
at 00:57 9 Mar 2024

Today DC takes his charges to Barrow in Furness. This season the longest journey from Colchester about 325 miles each way.

I am taking my eldest son the 79 miles to watch the U’s attempt to secure a vital win against Pete Wild’s team who are flirting with the top seven places. They have experienced striker Dom Telford in their ranks together with talented youngster Emile Acquah, plus Kian Spence and Niall Canavan all of whom know where the goal is.

I have been to all three away matches at Holker Street since we started to play them again in 2020 and have seen a win, a draw and a defeat. The win 3-2 was a special game with Tom Eastman scoring an 80th minute winner with a powerful header.

Earlier this season the Bluebirds won 4-1 at the JCS in a match which flattered them.

Now we really are reaching the business end of the season.

Doncaster 35 40
Grimsby 34 34
COL U 34 32
FGR 35 27
Sutton 36 26

Today’s game is one of those that we really need to win. Not only to give a morale boost but also more importantly to put some daylight between us and the bottom two.

Sutton play Grimsby which is best if a draw results. We need to secure the 47 points for guaranteed safety as soon as possible. What our football has lacked recently in the improvement under DC has been the ability to put the game to bed.

Salford was a classic example where we had the chances to win the game but could only muster a solitary goal from substitute Bradley Ihionvien.

DC lined up:
Goodman
Richardson Harbottle Dallison Hall Iandolo
Smith McGeehan Chilvers
Hopper Akinde

Harbottle off for Egbo 54
Richardson off for Read 62
Smith off for Ihionvien 73
Akinde off for Jay 73

I thought Dallison was off the pace and at fault for the Smith goal just before half time.
However once again we had missed presentable chances with McGeehan, Harbottle and Hopper all guilty of glaring misses.

Bradley Ihionvien changed the game when he and Jay arrived on 73 minutes and he scored a deserved equaliser and could have won the game late on.

Now I didn’t think Smith had a good game and certainly nowhere near his high standards when he first burst onto the scene. Arthur Read was being eased back into the contest and poor old Big John is not really up to 90 minutes of football now.

Samson Tovide will be back perhaps at the start of April. Jayden Fevrier should be back but maybe it’s too soon for Harry Anderson. Kells should also be back soon.

In the meantime, I would like to see:

Goodman

Richardson Harbottle Hall Iandolo

Smith Read

Fevrier Chilvers McGeehan

Ihionvien

Subs:
Hornby Egbo Dallison Hopper Anderson Akinde Jay

Barrow weather will be 9 degrees Celsius partly sunny and breezy but dry.

I want to see the determination to secure a win which will send the right message to Gloucestershire and South London.

U’s to prevail 2-1 with Ihionvien and Fevrier netting the goals.

Safe journey to the travelling faithful.

Enjoy the game and the three points.

Up the U’s

[Post edited 9 Mar 10:01]
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DC's U's to prevail against the "Dirty Old Town" at Moor Lane
at 22:07 26 Feb 2024

Well, we keep on picking up a point, but it is not enough. DC has steadied the ship but we are still rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.

Tuesday evening and our rearranged game at Moor Lane now becomes of huge significance with Stockport County in Town on Saturday.

We have a decent record against the Ammies, the pitch will be in poor condition (similar to the JCS then!) and although they lost heavily at Mansfield (who doesn’t) Karl Robinson has transformed the side so much so that they are virtually safe from the dreaded relegation. Robinson has Matt Smith and Luke Garbutt to draw on together with (if fit) Ossama Ashley. Theo Vassell is suspended for the Ammies after receiving a straight red card on Saturday.

So, do the Colchester players truly appreciate our predicament. Had it not been for Owen Goodman on Saturday the U’s would have been even more in the brown and pungent than we are. We are just about getting by at present. Don’t blame DC he is still revered and rightly so but draws must be converted into victories.

The sooner we can begin to play without this fear that creeps into the play the better.
League Two is so open this year. Down to Newport County in 16th spot all those teams will fancy they can creep into the top seven. Meanwhile it is two from four to go down to the National League.

Tomorrow the U’s must try to manage a performance which will not only give a return from Salford but also prepare for the League leaders visit on Saturday.

If Jayden Fevrier is unfit then that will be a blow to morale, but we do at least have a wealth of talent in midfield. I would like to see Owura Edwards brought back into the team to provide some width on the left side of the field.

Now is Riley Harbottle a liability at the back; he has conceded an own goal, a penalty on two occasions but balance that with a marvellous goal line saving interception on Saturday. I don’t think that DC will drop him from the starting XI.

So, something like this at Moor Lane

Goodman

Richardson Harbottle Hall Iandolo

Read Smith

McGeehan Chilvers Edwards

Ihionvien

Subs:
Egbo Mingi Hornby Dallison Wilkinson Hopper Akinde

Kells and Tovide are still out but hopefully both will be available for the vital games to come.

COL U 33 31
Grimsby 32 30
FGR 33 26
Sutton 34 23

If we say that 48 points are needed to guarantee survival, then we need another 17 points from 13 games. Possibly 5 more wins will do it with a couple of drawn games. Sounds easy I know.

Salford A*
Stockport H
Barrow A*
Doncaster H
Walsall H
Mansfield A (Live on Sky Sports)*
Newport H
Tranmere A*
Wrexham H
Crawley A
Grimsby H
Notts Co A*
Crewe H*
*Denotes I will be attending the game.

It will be 5 degrees Celsius. Cloudy but dry at Salford.

Kirsty Dowle will be refereeing the game at Moor Lane.

A hard fought but determined 2-1 win for the U’s to rekindle their survival hopes ahead of the Hatters at the weekend.

Safe journey to the travelling faithful. I am travelling with my youngest son to the match.

Enjoy the game.

Up the U’s

[Post edited 26 Feb 22:46]
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Super U's to secure vital victory at soggy Gander Green Lane
at 18:35 23 Feb 2024

DC has had another week to galvanise his troops ahead of the ultimate six pointer at Gander Green Lane against Sutton United.

The U’s have made one final, the Essex Senior Cup after defeating Hashtag United 3-2 on Tuesday night.

There are still six teams (at the moment) in the relegation mix, but Salford have hit some form at the right time.

Salford 33 39
Doncaster 32 36
COL U 32 30
Grimsby 31 29
FGR 32 23
Sutton 33 22

Steve Morison is in charge at Sutton and they (like many League Two clubs) have a healthy number of former U’s amongst their ranks – Omar Sowunmi, Ryan Jackson and Craig Eastmond. Former Cumbrian Omari Patrick is a danger man for them.

Quite frankly tomorrow is all about three points for the U’s. No excuses and no slip ups. Defeat for Sutton will virtually relegate them (even though it is still February) because they will be cut adrift and would require 25 more points from 12 matches to give them 47 and possible survival. With our vital game at Moor Lane to come on Tuesday night a handsome victory tomorrow will set us up nicely for that game.

FGR play in form side Tranmere tomorrow and Grimsby travel to Morecambe. Enough said.

Now it really is a question of fitness for Arthur Read. I suspect that he will get some game time but will not start the game. Should he be deemed to be fully fit then Chilvers would be benched instead but there is no point in risking him from the start at this stage. Will Harry Anderson start, possibly not and Owura Edwards will therefore be on the bench instead.

Kells and Tovide remain sidelined.

So,

Goodman

Richardson Harbottle Hall Iandolo

Fevrier McGeehan Smith

Chilvers

Ihionvien Hopper

Subs
Hornby Jay Mingi Wilkinson Dallison Edwards Read

The weather in South London will be 7 degrees Celsius with light rain and a gentle breeze.

For Wessex – Southern Trains are operating a normal Saturday service to Sutton Station (I don’t know whether that is a good thing or not!).

Safe journey to the travelling Faithful.

Scoreline, a professional job from DC and a 3-0 U’s victory. Bradley Ihionvien, Alistair Smith and Jayden Fevrier with the goals.

Enjoy the game.

Up the U’s



[Post edited 23 Feb 20:30]
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Owd Reds to come unstuck at the JCS today.
at 12:13 17 Feb 2024

The acid test was always going to be how would the Manager, team and supporters react to our first defeat under the Cowley brothers.

Tuesday night was set up nicely with Grimsby Town as the whipping boys subject to a 6-0 humiliation. Sadly, the weather and the continuing poor JCS playing surface put paid to that. Result another frustration as the team had to sit things out, training at the Dome.

Now last Saturday was a very strange game for a number of reasons. First the atmosphere was library-esque with 308 U’s faithful in much larger attendance 2,706 than we have become accustomed to at the Wetherby Road ground. Even the faithful were strangely quiet.

Secondly we were not able to stand behind the goal as in previous years following some reordering of the ground and lastly the pitch was in a decent condition considering the inclement weather of rain, sleet and snow which had lashed North Yorkshire and County Durham that week.

The food though was good. I had a steak pie with mash and veg and it was excellent, my sons had a burger and a hot dog both of which were equally impressive. Not cheap though but enjoyable.

DC had lined up his players thus:

Goodman
Richardson Harbottle Hall Iandolo
McGeehan Smith
Fevrier Chilvers Anderson
Hopper

Subs
Fevrier off Mingi on 70mins
McGeehan off Jay on 73mins
Hopper off Akinde on 73mins
Chilvers off Wilkinson on 77mins
Dallison
Edwards
Hornby

In form Harrogate were second best essentially up until 70 mins. Frankly we should have been 3-0 and comfortable by half time. There were long periods when you could quite literally hear a pin drop such was the U’s dominance but our profligacy in front of goal was to cost us right at the death.

Yes we missed Arthur Read but Cameron McGeehan was able to return and that let Noah Chilvers back in midfield too.

Things did change when Fevrier was substituted. Mingi looked slow and ponderous and when the double change bringing Jay and Akinde the two of them were thrust up front. Now Akinde is still big and powerful but if he doesn’t receive the service then he will be ineffectual and so it proved. Matt Jay likewise was out of his comfort zone.

Now we have to decide whether Conor Wilkinson is going to play midfield or striker because this playing on the half way line is not helping his game either.

The sucker punch on 93 minutes was Goodman spilling the ball and allowing Muldoon a tap in from about two yards out. Harrogate didn’t deserve it, but that is football.
I’m grateful for Witham for telling me that the Harrogate mascot is Harrogator (that clears up that mystery). However why Super Mario and Pikachu were there too has got be beat.

In truth Saturday was one of those games where despite our press, domination, shots and attacking play we were never actually going to score. It was a tough watch particularly those last 20 minutes when we lost momentum and an eery mist started to develop inside the ground.

We haven’t been involved in a scoreless draw for some time and this looked odds on a hard-won point but then the last knockings and that fateful stumble and the first defeat.

The faithful applauded both team and DC. But it was ultimately three points lost. Tuesday night we didn’t play, Harrogate did and contrived to lose 9-2 at Mansfield.

Today’s opponents also played Tuesday night and won comfortably 2-0 against Wimbledon. John Coleman has assembled a good team of “Owd Reds” who play attractive football. When we won at the Old Crown ground earlier in the season, they pulverised us but without applying the coup de gras and a moment of brilliance from Joe Taylor won the game.

DC will have been incandescent after last week as were Smith and others whose annoyance was plain to see. Collectively they will want to put things right today and I believe they will in an impressive performance with a 4-1 home victory.
But DC has a decision to make.

If Arthur Read is fit then he plays but I’m going to say that he is not ready for 90 minutes and sit this game out.

So, what does DC do about a problem called Noah. I think he plays unless Read is fully fit.

Goodman

Richardson Harbottle Hall Iandolo

McGeehan Smith

Fevrier Chilvers Anderson

Hopper

Subs:
Hornby Dallison Edwards Wilkinson Mingi Jay Ihionvien

Chay Cooper has joined Hartlepool United on loan to gain further game time. He joins up with Courtney Senior and Brennan Dickenson. I must get to a Pools game before the end of the season perhaps, 16 March when they play Scummend at Victoria Park. I can sit in the home stand.

Weather today will be a mild 12 degrees Celsius and cloudy with a breeze but mainly dry.

A decent crowd tempered slight by a lack of Stanley supporters (200) so in the region of 4,300.

Enjoy the game.

Let’s get those three points and a welcome double.

Up the U’s



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Mariners and Harry Haddock have had their chips at the buoyant JCS
at 23:02 12 Feb 2024

I am out tomorrow evening and so will delay my assessment of the Harrogate game until the weekend and Accrington at Home.

Now I have made a bold and perhaps foolhardy prediction for the scoreline against the Mariners tomorrow. However, a side is in for a slaughter, battering if you will when those chances are converted.

DC will have been incandescent after Saturday not only the defeat but the manner after 94 minutes. Some of the leaders in the side will have been equally disappointed.

With Accrington at the JCS on Saturday the U’s have the rare opportunity to secure two doubles in less than a week following their splendid 3-2 Away win at Blundell Park and a hard fought 1-0 win at Accrington earlier in the season.

David Artell brings his Grimsby side after a 3-1 defeat at home to the leaders on Saturday. They have Danny Rose and Abo Eisa (former Col U loanee and Jeff Stelling dined out on the number of financial puns that he could get out of Eisa).

DC will be wanting to consign the disappointing defeat against Harrogate to the history books and look to secure another three vital points on Tuesday evening.

So, the team is likely to be changed only if Arthur Read is fit to play, if not it will not be dissimilar to Saturday with Chilvers retained.

Formation though 4,3,3 two wingers to support Hopper.

Goodman

Richardson Harbottle Hall Iandolo

Smith Read McGeehan

Fevrier Hopper Anderson

Subs:
Hornby Jay Dallison Edwards Ihionvien Chilvers Wilkinson

I am serious about the 6-0 prediction. A hattrick is overdue for the U’s and it could be Fevrier who bags them. Smith and Read plus Wilkinson to complete the rout.

A mild 9 degrees Celsius at the JCS but wet and windy.

We get at them early doors and convert the embarrassing number of chances that we squandered against the Sulphurites.

Not a great more to say.

Enjoy the game.

A decent midweek crowd for JCS under the lights and something to cheer about after the disappointment of Saturday.

Up the U’s


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Expect a chemical reaction from the Super U's tomorrow with DC as the catalyst!
at 21:50 9 Feb 2024

Resurgent Super U’s under DC head to Harrogate on Saturday to play resurgent Sulphurites led by longest serving EFL manager Simon Weaver.

It should be a cracking match with both teams putting a run together. Of course, we need the points more than Harrogate but they will not want to lose their unbeaten tag in 2024 whilst DC is looking for a fifth game unbeaten for his charges.

Daniel, our man on the ground, has confirmed the pitch is not covered. However, the snow in that part of North Yorkshire was nowhere near as bad as slightly further north where we might have only had a few inches of snow but the snow gates were closed and ploughs have been working hard to get the Trans Pennine routes open.

It has been another busy week at the JCS. Ronny Nelson has gone on loan to Torquay whilst Al-Amin Kazeem has travelled to Galway United on loan.

The Cowleys have joined up again with Lorenzo Dolcetti who worked with them on the south coast. Slowly but surely, they are establishing their team and backroom staff.

Arthur Read is in line for a League Two award after his magnificent free kick at Morecambe.
Now many would argue we should have won last week but as Mick wryly observed he wanted us to avoid defeat. After conceding a two-goal advantage I suppose many would have settled for a draw. The Cowley factor has put 1500 on the gate and next Tuesday we play the Mariners at JCS followed by Accrington. Listening to DC’s outstanding and positive preview on Wednesday he is looking for all 9 points and in truth another 9 points would put safely into mid table and possibly less than 10 points off the play offs. The most important thing however is to keep the unbeaten run going.

Now DC has a decision to make tomorrow. Cameron McGeehan is in line to return following his concussion and I think that Noah Chilvers will be benched to make way for him in an otherwise unchanged team.

I am taking ghughes advice and changing my formation slightly to provide four at the back so 4,2,3,1 it is:

Goodman

Richardson Harbottle Hall Iandolo

Smith Read

Fevrier McGeehan Anderson

Hooper

Subs:
Hornby Wilkinson Edwards Chilvers Akinde Ihionvien Jay

As DC opined it is all about the squad and those finishing the game are just as important as those who start it.

When Kells and Tovide come back it will be very interesting to see the defence and strike partnership.

Early days I know but all three of the loan signings would fit into our team and I am sure that what DC has in mind. Alistair Smith is simply outstanding and is there a better partnership in midfield within League Two than Smith and Read.

No, I am certainly not dismissing Harrogate and neither is DC. He reeled off about 8 of their players that we need to watch. Notably George Thomson, Jack Muldoon, Sam Folarin, Abraham Odoh and Matty Daly all of whom have goals in them.

What it proves is that there are no really poor teams in League Two (except FGR and Sutton!). Or more importantly any team can beat anyone else.

Weather tomorrow will be cloudy 7 degrees Celsius and dry after the last 48 hours of weather everyone will be relieved to hear that.

Crowd should be at least 2,000 tomorrow including 250 from the U’s. Safe journey Noah.
Safe journey to all of the faithful, Enjoy the game.

Oh, and I almost forgot a repeat of last season’s Colchester 3-1 win with Smith, Hopper and McGeehan on the scoresheet. Last year Hornby hit me on the side of the head with a wayward shot in the warm up, no repeat this year Sam!

Up the U’s


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Blue Cards anyone?
at 21:59 8 Feb 2024

Due to be trialled at Non league level and in some EFL games.

Sin bin for 10 minutes.

Could lead to more hamstring injuries and muscle problems. I am undecided on this sanction.

Up the lillywhite U's
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Weatherwatch
at 08:45 8 Feb 2024

Currently we have a frosty start to the day (Thursday) and very fine flakes of snow are falling here in Durham.

The next 24 hours are supposed to be similar conditions before a change to rain on Friday.

A decision on the Harrogate game likely to be made on Friday.

Up the U's
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FGR's green credentials found wanting at the JCS by the Super U's
at 23:36 2 Feb 2024

This weekend sees unbeaten Colchester United under DC play host to FGR now led by Steve “Sombrero” Cotterill. More of that later.

It would be remarkably remiss of me to fail to mention last Saturday’s game at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium against Morecambe.

With youngest son in tow, we travelled the mere 63 miles to Morecambe via Atkinson’s fish n chips on Albert Road and a short distance from the ground. As usual they were outstanding (even giving PAPAs a run for their money). They do a superb haddock and chips, a stone’s throw from the sea front.

Parking at the ground is in the Primary school and for £5 (all of which goes to help the local school) it is good value.

Morecambe have stopped programmes and like Crewe now produce a monthly magazine which devotes a two-page spread to the teams playing Morecambe that period. At £4 it is reasonable but no substitute for a matchday programme.

I was really looking forward to the game mainly because it was my first chance to see the Super U’s under DC and NC management. The first change was to see DC out with the players prior to kick off and sorting the training. The 180 faithful amongst a crowd of 3,383 were vocal from the outset and the rapport between supporters and manager was tangible.

DC had lined up:

Goodman

Harbottle Hall Iandolo

Richardson Smith McGeehan Read

Chilvers Fevrier

Hopper

Subs:
Hornby
Edwards
Wilkinson for Chilvers 62
Dallison for Harbottle 72
Anderson for Fevrier 72
Jay for McGeehan 88
Akinde for Hopper 88

This was also my first opportunity to see our new loan signings; Alistair Smith, Riley Harbottle and Harry Anderson. Plus, I had yet to watch Conor Wilkinson in a U’s shirt.

I was pleased that DC had only made two changes to my predicted line up with Iandolo and Hall for Dallison and Edwards. Still DC knows best!

The crowd was larger than hitherto more than twice the size of the last crowd that I saw at the Mazuma/Globe arena. The noise generated from the faithful was absolutely deafening and they sang throughout. At times you could hear a pin drop from the Shrimpers.
Harbottle was a real force at the back for the U’s. Richardson had his best game for the U’s bar none. Alistair Smith was absolutely outstanding, covering virtually the entire pitch, breaking up their attacks, starting our own. I don’t believe that he misplaced one pass all afternoon. Lincoln must have some amazing midfield players if they can afford to loan Smith.

It is a long time since I have seen Colchester control a game for such long periods. 17 shots, 3 on target and 9 corners produced a satisfied and delighted U’s support. Some years ago, under Lambert we went to Carlisle and won 2-0 in what was a controlled game of football. This was not dissimilar.

Richardson and Iandolo offered outlets from the back. The aforementioned Smith was superb and Arthur Read was simply sublime.

On 27 minutes we won a free kick 25 yards from goal and slightly to the right as we looked at it. Although Read and Chilvers stood over it there was only player who deserved to take the kick. I said to Stuart – top corner will do nicely. And so, it proved as Read got the ball up and over the wall and it hit the top right hand of the net leaving Mair in the Morecambe goal no chance whatsoever. A free kick of such brilliance, it deserved to win any game.

Morecambe were stunned, but in truth had no answer to the U’s cultured football. None of the playing out from the back nonsense, just smart passing football and some of the intricate passes were worthy of the top of league one rather than nest the foot of league two.

Playing a higher line and pressing the opposition back allowed the energetic Hopper to work hard up front and Fevrier was a willing runner at their full backs.

We all wondered when the second goal was coming.

It was good to see Kevin at half time and Noah joined us for the second half. Interestingly he opined that the chat in the refreshment queue at half time was that we would give a penalty away. We didn’t have long to wait. Only 50 seconds in the second half and a theatrical dive was judged by the referee to warrant a penalty. Harsh on the U’s.

Garner stepped up and Owen Goodman went to his left (our right) and saved brilliantly. It was justice as far as I was concerned.

Chilvers was replaced by Wilkinson on 62 minutes and this was the first time that I had seen him (CW) in a U’s shirt. A real handful and DC has him playing midfield where he is both effective and an imposing figure.

Dallison came on for the hard-working Harbottle on 72 minutes together with Anderson for Fevrier. Now Jaydon Fevrier had gone off on the far side of the pitch and was walking around the long way back to the dugout. As he drew near to the faithful we all stood applauding him and I missed the agricultural challenge on McGeehan by Rawson the Morecambe centre back.

McGeehan was clearly hurt and blood was coming from a head injury. He was patched up by the physio and was adamant that he wanted to carry on. Rawson was only booked by the ref. After changing his shirt Cameron came back on and the game continued.

Morecambe huffed and puffed but were short on energy, skill and real chances. DC made his final subs on 88 minutes with Jay and Akinde on for McGeehan and Hopper respectively.

The referee managed to find 8 minutes of additional time but there were no serious concerns and we deservedly won the game.

Great scenes at the final whistle; with all the players and DC and NC taking the applause. A really nice touch was DC going first to Owen Goodman after his penalty save. Absolute class from the head coach.

A thoroughly enjoyable game from start to finish and the level of control from the team was impressive. Interestingly Ged Brannan, 37 points from 27 games believes that Morecambe can mount a play off challenge. I’m not disputing that but they will have rarely played such a good and disciplined team as the U’s this season.

Salford 29 31
Grimsby 28 28
COL U 29 28
Doncaster 28 28
Sutton 29 21
FGR 28 19

It really is 2 from 6 for the drop.

Now apart from Alex Newby joining Altrincham on a permanent basis (previously on loan) and we wish him well, we have made no additional signings and more importantly have not lost any of our star players.

We are however looking for a new head of recruitment after Ross Embleton decided to go to pastures new. We wish Ross well too.

So, this week we play host at the JCS to Cotterill’s basement team. They have re-signed Christian Doidge from Hibs. Their most prolific of strikers he will be a threat on Saturday.

This weekend coincidentally it is Green Football Weekend to raise awareness of climate change. Beware of vegan food offerings!

Now this is the ultimate 6 pointer.

DC will be looking forward to the game and so will the JCS faithful.

As I see it DC need not make any changes to the starting line up from last Saturday. I felt sorry for Owura Edwards (a player that I like) but with Fevrier in such fine form and the arrival of Harry Anderson, his opportunities might become limited.

So, a 3,4,2,1 formation. When Anderson is fully fit I expect him to start perhaps with Fevrier as two out and out wingers.

Goodman

Harbottle Hall Iandolo

Richardson Smith McGeehan Read

Chilvers Fevrier

Hopper

Subs
Hornby Dallison Jay Wilkinson Edwards Anderson Akinde

Now recently I have been banging on about a 17-game unbeaten run and having checked it out this week I was wrong, it was 19 games. Between 19 November 1996 and February 1997, we went 19 games unbeaten under Steve Wignall. 11 wins and 8 draws amongst those 19 matches.

Now we are three games unbeaten and have 17 games remaining. Can lightning strike twice.
Can we go for the rest of the season undefeated (20 games!) Surely only a fool would think so, but why not.

We have to play:
FGR H
Harrogate A
Grimsby H
Accrington H
Sutton A
Salford A
Stockport H
Barrow A
Doncaster H
Walsall H
Mansfield A
Newport H
Tranmere A
Wrexham H
Crawley A
Notts Co A
Crewe H

Maybe four really tough games there but everyone is beatable in the league. No more of this today. Let’s see how we get on tomorrow first.

We owe FGR for the mauling inflicted in Nailsworth earlier in the season. I reckon 4-0 to the Super U’s with Smith getting on the scoresheet, Hopper, Read and Anderson (sub).

Weather will be 12 degrees Celsius, mostly cloudy but dry with a keen breeze.

A decent and expectant crowd at the JCS. Probably 4,500.

Enjoy the game and three more valuable points.

Up the Super Cowley inspired U’s


[Post edited 2 Feb 23:48]
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